cop a plea
1. To plead guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid a trial or a more severe punishment. If you don't want to go to jail, I think your best option here is to cop a plea. A: "No, I want to plead not guilty." B: "With the evidence they've got on you, I really think your best bet is to cop a plea." It's so frustrating how these rich people steal from their clients and then do minimal jail time because they're able to cop a plea!
2. To give an unsatisfactory explanation for one's actions. He copped a plea about not having the instructions for the project, but I know he was in class the day I gave them out. The dog ate your homework? Right, way to cop a plea, dude. Your assignments are due today, no matter what. For those of you who've already copped a plea, you're getting a zero.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cop a plea
Fig. to plead guilty to a lesser charge to avoid a more serious charge or lessen time of imprisonment. He copped a plea and got off with only two months in the slammer.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
cop a plea
1. Plead guilty or confess to a crime in exchange for a lighter sentence; also, plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for not being tried for a more serious charge. For example, Arnold decided he was better off copping a plea than facing a jury. [Colloquial; 1920s]
2. Plead for mercy; make excuses. For example, He copped a plea about not knowing his way around. [Slang; c. 1940]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
cop a plea
AMERICAN, INFORMALIf someone cops a plea, they agree to plead guilty to a crime to avoid a trial for a more serious crime. The lawyer advised him not to fight but to cop a plea.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
cop a plea
engage in plea bargaining. North AmericanFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
cop a ˈplea
(American English, informal) admit in court to being guilty of a small crime in the hope of receiving less severe punishment for a more serious crime: My lawyer told me that I should cop a plea and go for 10 years, instead of 25 years to life.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
cop a plea
tv. to plead guilty to a lesser charge. Rocko copped a plea and got off with a week in the slammer.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
cop a plea
To plead guilty to a lesser charge so as to avoid standing trial for a more serious charge.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.